Jagan’s appoints experts committee on Amaravathi

Vijayawada: After an outcry from opposition parties and local people, the YSR Congress government seems to change its mind on Amaravathi. It has appointed an expert committee with the members renowned in urban planning to suggest comprehensive development of the entire state including the capital.

Retired IAS Officer G.N.Rao will be the convenor of the committee, whereas Prof. Dr. Mahaveer, Professor of Planning, Dean (Academic), School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, Dr. Anjali Mohan, Urban and Regional Planner, Prof. Shivananda Swamy, CEPT, Ahmadabad, Prof K.T. Ravindran, SPA(Retd), Delhi School of Architecture, Delhi. Dr. K.V. Arunachalam, Retd. Chief Urban Planner, Chennai are the other members of the committee. It can co-opt one member who is an expert in Environmental Issues & Flood Management. The committee is asked to submit its report within six weeks.

It is a significant development on the part of Andhra Pradesh, as the capital has become bone of contention for the last month. Ever since Municipal Minister commented that the capital region is a flood-prone area, the opposition made hue and cry over the issue. Botsa remarks that capital should not belong to one caste has sparked a row. There were rumours that the YSR Congress government is planning to shift the capital from Amaravati to Donakonda.

The Telugu Desam started protests in the region and its president declared that they would continue their fight till Amaravati is declared as capital. Janasena Chief Pawan Kalyan conducted a meeting with the villagers of the

Amaravathi region who gave their lands for the capital. Pawan suggested the government not to disturb the capital, as thousands of farmers sacrificed their lands for the state.

It has become a huge respite to the farmers and locals of the Amaravati area as the expert committee is asked to take a quick review of the development activities that have taken place in the region and measures to be taken for comprehensive development of state and capital. They feel that there is no change in capital and no need to be panic.

Unlike Chandrababu, Jagan seems to be relying on Indian experts. There is no word of Singapore or Japan from the YSR Congress government, on which the former Chief Minister usually depends.